Flood warnings cover B.C.'s interior as snow melts fast
Warm weather and heavy rain trigger evacuation alerts for 165 properties north of Nelson through Tuesday.
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B.C.'s River Forecast Centre has issued flood warnings for the Upper Columbia, Lardeau and Kootenay rivers, with flood watches across the North Thompson, West and East Kootenay regions. A high streamflow advisory covers the Upper Fraser, South Thompson and Boundary areas.
Warm weather has accelerated snowmelt rates and driven river levels higher throughout the Southern Interior. Heavy rain is expected Saturday through Tuesday, with weather models indicating up to 70 millimetres of rain near the Alberta–B.C. border and up to 30 mm elsewhere.
Evacuation alerts have been issued for 165 properties north of Nelson along the Lardeau and Duncan rivers and Duhamel Creek. Six properties in Golden on Anderson Road are also under evacuation alert due to high water on the Columbia River. Residents are being asked to prepare grab-and-go bags.
The centre warns that fast-flowing rivers pose increased risk to safety and is urging people to stay away from rivers and riverbanks, which can become unstable.